Fixation device for securing a linear element to a workpiece

Abstract

A fixation device for securing a linear element to a workpiece includes a contact component and a fixation component. The contact component typically includes (i) a first contact surface for application to a workpiece and (ii) a first opening for receiving a linear element. The fixation component typically secures a portion of the linear element on a side of the first contact component opposite the first contact surface. The fixation component engages the contact component to prevent passage of the linear element's secured portion through the workpiece when a tension is applied to the linear element in a direction opposite the contact surface.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A fixation device for securing a linear element to a workpiece, comprising:
 a first contact component having (i) a first contact surface for application to a workpiece and (ii) a first opening for receiving a linear element; 
 a first fixation component for securing a portion of the linear element on a side of said first contact component opposite said first contact surface; 
 a second contact component having (i) a second contact surface for application to a workpiece and (ii) a second opening for receiving a linear element; and 
 a second fixation component for securing a portion of the linear element on a side of said second contact component opposite said second contact surface; 
 wherein said first fixation component engages said first contact component to prevent passage of the linear element's secured portion through the workpiece when a tension is applied to the linear element in a direction opposite said first contact surface; 
 wherein said second fixation component engages said second contact component to prevent passage of the linear element's secured portion through the workpiece when a tension is applied to the linear element in a direction opposite said second contact surface; and 
 wherein said first fixation component and said second fixation component are positioned between said first contact component and said second contact component. 
 
     
     
       2. The fixation device according to  claim 1 , wherein, said first contact component and said first fixation component are physically connected. 
     
     
       3. The fixation device according to  claim 1 , wherein, as measured in a plane parallel to the first contact surface, the fixation device's cross sectional area at the area of engagement between the first contact component and the first fixation component is smaller than (i) the first contact component's average cross sectional area and (ii) the first fixation component's average cross sectional area. 
     
     
       4. The fixation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the exterior surface of the fixation device opposite the first contact surface comprises an arcuate surface. 
     
     
       5. The fixation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of (i) the height of the fixation device as measured from the first contact surface to the end of the first fixation component opposite the first contact surface to (ii) the maximum width of the first contact surface is approximately one or less. 
     
     
       6. The fixation device according to  claim 1 , wherein said first contact component's opening comprises a hole. 
     
     
       7. The fixation device according to  claim 1 , wherein said first contact component's opening comprises a groove. 
     
     
       8. The fixation device according to  claim 1 , wherein said first contact component's opening comprises a channel. 
     
     
       9. The fixation device according to  claim 1 , wherein said first fixation component comprises an adhesive. 
     
     
       10. The fixation device according to  claim 1 , wherein said first fixation component comprises a jagged surface for engaging the linear element. 
     
     
       11. The fixation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the fixation device comprises polymeric material. 
     
     
       12. The fixation device according to  claim 1 , wherein said first contact component's contact surface comprises an adhesive, medication, and/or padding. 
     
     
       13. The fixation device according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 said second fixation component is physically connected to said second contact component; and 
 the fixation device comprises a medial joint that physically connects said first fixation component and said second fixation to one another so that said first fixation component and said second fixation component are positioned between said first contact component and said second contact component. 
 
     
     
       14. A fixation device for securing a linear element to a workpiece, comprising:
 a first contact component having (i) a first contact surface for application to a workpiece and (ii) a first opening for receiving a linear element; 
 a first fixation component for securing a portion of the linear element on a side of said first contact component opposite said first contact surface; 
 a second contact component having (i) a second contact surface for application to a workpiece and (ii) a second opening for receiving a linear element; and 
 a second fixation component for securing a portion of the linear element on a side of said second contact component opposite said second contact surface; 
 wherein said first fixation component engages said first contact component to prevent passage of the linear element's secured portion through the workpiece when a tension is applied to the linear element in a direction opposite said first contact surface; 
 wherein said second fixation component engages said second contact component to prevent passage of the linear element's secured portion through the workpiece when a tension is applied to the linear element in a direction opposite said second contact surface; 
 wherein said first fixation component and said second fixation component are positioned between said first contact component and said second contact component; and 
 wherein said second contact component and said second fixation component are physically connected. 
 
     
     
       15. The fixation device according to  claim 14 , wherein, said first contact component and said first fixation component are physically connected. 
     
     
       16. The fixation device according to  claim 14 , wherein, as measured in a plane parallel to the second contact surface, the fixation device's cross sectional area at the area of engagement between the second contact component and the second fixation component is smaller than (i) the second contact component's average cross sectional area and (ii) the second fixation component's average cross sectional area. 
     
     
       17. The fixation device according to  claim 14 , wherein the exterior surface of the fixation device opposite the second contact surface comprises an arcuate surface. 
     
     
       18. The fixation device according to  claim 14 , wherein the ratio of (i) the height of the fixation device as measured from the second contact surface to the end of the second fixation component opposite the second contact surface to (ii) the maximum width of the second contact surface is approximately one or less. 
     
     
       19. The fixation device according to  claim 14 , wherein said second contact component's opening comprises a hole. 
     
     
       20. The fixation device according to  claim 14 , wherein said second contact component's opening comprises a groove. 
     
     
       21. The fixation device according to  claim 14 , wherein said second contact component's opening comprises a channel. 
     
     
       22. The fixation device according to  claim 14 , wherein said second fixation component comprises an adhesive. 
     
     
       23. The fixation device according to  claim 14 , wherein said second fixation component comprises a jagged surface for engaging the linear element. 
     
     
       24. The fixation device according to  claim 14 , wherein the fixation device comprises polymeric material. 
     
     
       25. The fixation device according to  claim 14 , wherein said second contact component's contact surface comprises an adhesive, medication, and/or padding. 
     
     
       26. The fixation device according to  claim 15 , comprising a medial joint that physically connects said first fixation component and said second fixation to one another so that said first fixation component and said second fixation component are positioned between said first contact component and said second contact component. 
     
     
       27. A fixation device for securing a linear element to a workpiece, comprising:
 a first contact component having (i) a first contact surface for application to a workpiece and (ii) a first opening for receiving a linear element; 
 a first fixation component physically connected to said first contact component and arranged for securing a portion of the linear element on a side of said first contact component opposite said first contact surface; 
 a second contact component having (i) a second contact surface for application to a workpiece and (ii) a second opening for receiving a linear element; and 
 a second fixation component physically connected to said second contact component and arranged for securing a portion of the linear element on a side of said second contact component opposite said second contact surface, 
 wherein said first fixation component and said second fixation component are physically connected to one another so that said first fixation component and said second fixation component are positioned between said first contact component and said second contact component. 
 
     
     
       28. The fixation device according to  claim 27 , wherein, as measured in a plane parallel to the first contact surface, the fixation device's cross sectional area at the area of engagement between the first contact component and the first fixation component is smaller than (i) the first contact component's average cross sectional area and (ii) the first fixation component's average cross sectional area. 
     
     
       29. The fixation device according to  claim 27 , wherein the exterior surface of the fixation device opposite the first contact surface comprises an arcuate surface. 
     
     
       30. The fixation device according to  claim 27 , wherein the ratio of (i) the height of the fixation device as measured from the first contact surface to the end of the first fixation component opposite the first contact surface to (ii) the maximum width of the first contact surface is approximately one or less. 
     
     
       31. The fixation device according to  claim 27 , wherein said first contact component's opening comprises a hole. 
     
     
       32. The fixation device according to  claim 27 , wherein said first contact component's opening comprises a groove. 
     
     
       33. The fixation device according to  claim 27 , wherein said first contact component's opening comprises a channel. 
     
     
       34. The fixation device according to  claim 27 , wherein said first fixation component comprises an adhesive. 
     
     
       35. The fixation device according to  claim 27 , wherein said first fixation component comprises a jagged surface for engaging the linear element. 
     
     
       36. The fixation device according to  claim 27 , wherein the fixation device comprises polymeric material. 
     
     
       37. The fixation device according to  claim 27 , wherein said first contact component's contact surface comprises an adhesive, medication, and/or padding. 
     
     
       38. The fixation device according to  claim 27 , comprising a medial joint that physically connects said first fixation component and said second fixation to one another so that said first fixation component and said second fixation component are positioned between said first contact component and said second contact component.